IDF officers serving along the Yellow Line in Gaza say that commanders have quietly changed open-fire regulations near the border in recent weeks, raising growing concern among forces on the ground, Ynet reported.

“Until now, Brig. Gen. Liron Batito (commander of the Gaza Division) briefed us that any adult crossing the Yellow Line was subject to lethal fire,” one officer said. “That has changed to a suspect-arrest procedure that ends, at most, with fire at the legs.”

Several officers and commanders said Batito personally visited positions and explained that the move followed criticism surrounding several incidents, including the shooting of a Palestinian using crutches and another incident in which two humanitarian aid truck drivers were killed near the Yellow Line.

Officers stressed that attempts to approach and cross the line occur daily and warned that many of those involved are being used by Hamas to test IDF responses, gather intelligence, and map troop deployments along the border.

“We’re stunned by the recent changes in the open-fire regulation,” a reserve officer serving in the area said. “Changing from the straightforward order to neutralize anyone crossing the Yellow Line toward us to a suspect-arrest procedure that ends with shots to the legs is the beginning of a slippery slope. We know where it starts, but we don’t know where it will end.”

“Commanders believe Hamas is deterred, but we see preparations and understand that these crossings are part of an effort to test our defenses. The enemy has the intent, the means, and the capability to carry out significant offensive operations.”

Another officer described growing frustration among troops. “I’m going out of my mind,” he said. “There have been incidents where soldiers weren’t allowed to open fire. Drones crossed the border, and they weren’t authorized to shoot them down. Gazans cross every day. They’re playing games with us. It feels like October 7 all over again. They cross the Yellow Line freely. The soldiers here are extremely frustrated.”

The officers said that their main concern is that hesitation on the border will be interpreted by Hamas as weakness, erode deterrence, and encourage more aggressive attempts to challenge Israeli forces.

The IDF claims that no change has been made to the rules of engagement, and the issue involves a clarification of procedures following “problematic” incidents. Military officials added that forces continue to operate according to operational needs and threat assessments in each situation.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)